Something we all agree on

You know, Texas is a big state. There’s plenty of space to separate us and plenty of issues to divide us.

But every now and then, Texans can come together – no matter where they live, what they do or what they believe – and share a special, even joyous, experience.

And if you care about college football in this great state (and I’ll be really disappointed if you don’t), there’s a good chance you shared that experience last weekend.

So congratulations to the Longhorns, Aggies, Horned Frogs, Red Raiders, Owls, Cougars, Mean Green, and others who logged W’s on Saturday. It was a proud, exciting weekend across the state, and I’m happy for everybody.

But it’s possible – just possible, mind you – that I’m happier for one team more than the others. In fact, it’s even conceivable that this whole spreading of congratulations is nothing but a ruse that, more than anything, is letting me bring up something.

And what might that “something” be?

It’s a little thing I like to call “rankings” … Rankings showing that the Bears of Baylor University (est. 1845 by the Republic of Texas) are enjoying the highest national ranking of any Big XII team.

So I’m confident, my fellow Texans – wherever you went to school, wherever you live, wherever your loyalties lie – I just know that you join me in loudly proclaiming one wonderful, indisputable, intoxicating mantra:

Sic ‘em Bears!

Wet days don’t make up for dry years

There was also some non-football news you may have noticed over the weekend: our region got a drenching that a lot of us have been waiting for.

It was a big rain that wreaked a lot of damage and havoc. Our thoughts go out to everyone who was affected in a negative way by the downpour. That said, there’s no question that we badly – badly – needed the rain.

The problem is that even as much as it’s rained over the last few days, that doesn’t begin to make up for the years of dry weather that have taken a toll on this region.

More than that, the rain tees up a big question facing voters next month: do you want to be at nature’s mercy, waiting months or even years for relatively rare rain events that temporarily relieve the stress on Texas’ water supplies?

Or do you want to be more proactive and take steps to fortify our water supply – without raising taxes – so we aren’t dependent on extraordinary and rare storms like last weekend’s?

Vote “YES” on Prop 6

Prop 6 is on the Nov. 5 statewide constitutional ballot. It would appropriate $2 billion from the state’s Economic Stabilization Fund (also known as the Rainy Day Fund; no puns or jokes, please) and put it into water projects across the state.

This is a big deal. The economic growth that so many people are so proud of depends on a water supply that’s reliable not only right now, but also in future years when more and more folks will be relying on it.

And our quality of life is dependent on a reliable water supply.

The money appropriated from Prop 6 will help ensure we have that water supply. That’s why so many people – from both parties and all across the state – have come together to support it.